$1.5 Million Jury Verdict in Highway Crash on Interstate Highway

Machaela Matthews-Bell was driving on an interstate highway when a van in front of her stopped to avoid hitting an animal on the roadway. Matthews-Bell brought her vehicle to a controlled stop. Jagdip Bhullar, who was driving a tractor-trailer owned by Jawala Mukhi Transport Inc., rear-ended Matthews-Bell’s vehicle, causing her to collide with a van.

Matthews-Bell sustained injuries to her head, neck and back. She has undergone extensive medical care, including neck surgery, and anticipates future surgery on her cervical spine. Her medical expenses alone were more than $100,000.

Matthews-Bell sued Jawala Mukhi Transport and Bhullar, alleging liability for Bhullar’s choosing not to keep a proper lookout and failing to maintain control of his tractor-trailer.

Matthews-Bell argued that Bhullar had been looking at police activity on the shoulder of the northbound lane and was too close to her vehicle when he returned his eyes to the roadway.

This case was brought in the federal court’s Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis. The jury signed a verdict for $1.5 million.

The attorneys representing Matthews-Bell were Brent A. Sumner, Andrew Martin and Daniel J. Grimm.

Matthews-Bell v. Jawala Mukhi Transport, Inc., No. 17-cv-192-AL (E.D. Mo.).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling rear-end collision lawsuits, automobile accident cases, truck accident lawsuits, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accident cases and traumatic brain injury lawsuits for individuals, families and loved ones who have been injured, harmed or killed by the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Westchester, North Riverside, Berwyn, Forest Park, Melrose Park, Stone Park, Niles, Lincolnwood, Glencoe, Northfield, Lake Zurich, North Barrington, Fox River Grove, Barrington Hills, Roselle, Hanover Park, Itasca, Addison, Wood Dale, Northlake, Berkeley, Hillside, Summit, LaGrange, Highlands, Countryside, Willow Springs, Justice, Palos Heights, Oak Forest, Orland Hills, Chicago (Washington Heights, Avalon Park, Hyde Park, South Shore, Chinatown, South Loop, River North, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, West Garfield Park, Wicker Park, Lakeview, Ravenswood, West Ridge, Albany Park, Jefferson Park), Morton Grove, Rolling Meadows and Elk Grove Village, Ill.

Robert D. Kreisman has been an active member of the Illinois and Missouri bars since 1976.